My own set of newbie questions.

trucking and the LIFESTYLE it leads to isn't for everyone.

the pay will never be reasonable for the time you put into it. you can figure on working say 70 hours per week, then divide your pay into that, you might come up with about $7.00 per hour..........but the pay gets better as you get more experience and higher wages.

yes. then one day, you'll be squeezing that rig into a tissue box size area, and wonder why you were ever worried about your capabilities.

someone else needs to chime in here, i'm not up to date on vision requirements for one eye.

again, someone else can help you with this one too.

 

Backing a rig is not really that hard, if you stick to the basics:

1. survey the backing area first
2. use a spotter if available (probably not)
3. back slowly towards the driver's side (can't emphasis slow enough)
4. G.O.A.L=get out and look
5. repeat 1-4 if necessary

Backing becomes a problem when you become ####y and complacant, which leads to carelessness. However, these are just a few things you'll learn in school.

Try locating a state technical school in your area. Most are PTDI* certified with pretty decent instuctors and rigs. Plus if your strapped for money, you can apply for a state grant, which will cover some of the tuition. However, expect to spend anywhere from $1100 - $1500 for a two month course. Finally check PTDI website for certified training academies. Good Luck.

*Professional Truck Driving Institute http://www.ptdi.org/

 

Like already stated , it will become easier everyday.

i had the best job to learn how to do it... i was a yard jockey for couple years , and the first day i did it , i was thinking man there is no way im getting this dang thing in that little hole.
Which was tiny less than a persons body width between the docks...
the yard was very very small period about 70ish ft between the trailers at the dock and trailers on the other side.

i did this mostly with the little yard truck , but about once a month(when my dog would get serviced) id use one of the spare OTR trucks. I think backing up is just as easy as driving striaght down the road. Practice makes perfect

 

ah okay. I traveled to Texas to get my CDL because the equipment they use in the states are a lot different then what they use up here in Trucking schools. Sometimes traveling can be beneficial, if I could do it over again, I would have gone to Sage, they have quality instructors and a good program from what I hear. Call and speak with one of the instructors or pencil pushers, I think you would be impressed with what all they have to say.

 

I cannot remember,,,seemed like it was around 2700.00 for me it come out to around $5,500.00 in Utah, because I wanted to rent an apartment while I was there for the duration of the class I also included food...The school told me I could tell the bank it was apart of the tuition, then the school would cut me a check for the left over amount so I could support myself while I was there.